"The United States will end the use of taxpayer dollars to fund abortion overseas, along with coercive abortions and sterilization practices," White House press secretary Sean Spicer said in the White House press briefing Monday, explaining the move.

Anti-abortion groups hailed Trump's move, while abortion rights groups lambasted it. The order comes one day after the 44th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision guaranteeing abortion rights. The victory for the anti-abortion camp also comes days ahead of the March for Life in Washington, D.C., scheduled for Friday.

"President Trump is continuing Ronald Reagan's legacy by taking immediate action on day one to stop the promotion of abortion through our tax dollars overseas," Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony List, a prominent anti-abortion group, said in a statement. She added the move "sends a strong signal about his Administration's pro-life priorities."

33PHOTOS

Women's Marches around the United States

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Women's Marches around the United States

Protesters march down Pennsylvania avenue during the Women's March on Washington January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. The march is expected to draw thousands from across the country to protest newly inaugurated President Donald Trump.

(Photo by Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images)

Demonstrators hold signs while making their way towards Trump Tower during the Women's March in New York, U.S., on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017. Hundreds of demonstrations around the world are planned in conjunction with the Womens March on Washington, which is expected to be the largest inauguration-related demonstration in United States history. Photographer: Jeenah Moon/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Protesters flood 14th Street during the Women's March on Washington January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Large crowds are attending the anti-Trump rally a day after U.S. President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th U.S. president.

(Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat from Massachusetts, center left, and Boston Mayor Martin Walsh hold a banner while marching down Commonwealth Avenue during the Boston Women's March in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017. Hundreds of demonstrations around the world are planned in conjunction with the Women's March on Washington, which is expected to be the largest inauguration-related demonstration in United States history.

(Scott Eisen/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Demonstrators attend the rally at the Women's March on Washington on January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC.

(Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

Demonstrators gather during the Women's March of Los Angeles in Los Angeles, California, U.S., on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017. Hundreds of demonstrations around the world are planned in conjunction with the Women's March on Washington, which is expected to be the largest inauguration-related demonstration in United States history.

(Troy Harvey/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Marchers fill Hill Street during the Women's March on January 21, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Downtown Los Angeles for the Women's March in protest after the inauguration of President Donald Trump. Women's Marches are being held in cities around the world.

(Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Demonstrators hold signs during the Women's March of Los Angeles in Los Angeles, California, U.S., on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017. Hundreds of demonstrations around the world are planned in conjunction with the Women's March on Washington, which is expected to be the largest inauguration-related demonstration in United States history.

(Troy Harvey/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Peaceful protesters demonstrate during the Women's March On Washington on January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC.

(Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

Marianne Nepsund, 29, from New York, holds a sign as she participates in the Women's March on Washington, following the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump, in Washington, D.C., U.S., January 21, 2017. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Demonstrators taking part in the Women's March to protest Donald Trump's inauguration as the 45th president of the United States march around the U.S. Agriculture Department in Washington, January 21, 2017. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Marchers during the Women's March on Main Street Park City on January 21, 2017 in Park City, Utah.

(Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

Marchers during the Women's March on Main Street Park City on January 21, 2017 in Park City, Utah.

(Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

Protesters cheer at the Women's March on January 21, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in protest after the inauguration of President Donald Trump.

(Photo by Dakota Sillyman/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Protesters participate in the Women's March on January 21, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in protest after the inauguration of President Donald Trump.

(Photo by John Gress/Getty Images)

Hundreds of thousands of marchers fill the street during a Women's March demonstration in Washington, DC, U.S., January 21, 2017. REUTERS/Bryan Woolston TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Protesters participate in the Women's March on January 21, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in protest after the inauguration of President Donald Trump.

(Photo by John Gress/Getty Images)

People listen to speeches at the Women's March, held in opposition to the agenda and rhetoric of President Donald Trump in Washington, DC, U.S., January 21, 2017. REUTERS/Canice Leung

People participate in a Women's March to protest against U.S. President Donald Trump in New York City, U.S. January 21, 2017. REUTERS/Stephanie Keith

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 21: A view of protesters marching in front of the Trump International Hotel Washington, D.C. on Pennsylvania Avenue during the Women's March on Washington on January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Noam Galai/WireImage)

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 21: A view of protesters marching on Pennsylvania Avenue during the Women's March on Washington on January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Noam Galai/WireImage)

MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 21: Demonstrators attend the rally at the Women's March at Bayfront Park Amphitheater on January 21, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Sergi Alexander/Getty Images)

Demonstrators take part in the Women's March to protest Donald Trump's inauguration as the 45th president of the United States near the U.S. Capitol in Washington, January 21, 2017. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

People pack the National Mall for the Women's March in Washington, U.S. January 21, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

People gather for the Women's March in Washington U.S., January 21, 2017. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

A sculpted eagle on the exterior of Grand Central Terminal overlooks people participating in a Women's March to protest against U.S. President Donald Trump in New York City, U.S. January 21, 2017. REUTERS/Stephanie Keith

People participate in a Women's March to protest against U.S. President Donald Trump in New York City, U.S. January 21, 2017. REUTERS/Stephanie Keith

People participating in a Women's March to protest against U.S. President Donald Trump fill up 42nd St. in New York City, U.S. January 21, 2017. REUTERS/Stephanie Keith

People watch as demonstrators march towards Trump Tower during the Women's March in New York, U.S., on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017. Hundreds of demonstrations around the world are planned in conjunction with the Womens March on Washington, which is expected to be the largest inauguration-related demonstration in United States history. Photographer: Jeenah Moon/Bloomberg via Getty Images

DENVER, CO JANUARY 21: Tens of thousands of people from across Colorado flooded Civic Center in downtown Denver for the 'Womens March on Denver the day after the inauguration of President Donald Trump. January 21, 2017 Denver, CO. (Photo By Joe Amon/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

DENVER, CO - January 21: Thousands of protesters at Civic Center Park for the Women's March on Denver January 21, 2017. Over 100,000 people converged on downtown Denver in coordination with demonstrations across the country to send a message to the new Trump administration demanding social justice, human rights, and equality. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

Demonstrators gather at Civic Center Park in Denver, Colorado, during the Women's March on January 21, 2017.
Hundreds of thousands of people packed the streets across the US on Saturday in a massive outpouring of defiant opposition to America's new president, Donald Trump. / AFP / Jason Connolly (Photo credit should read JASON CONNOLLY/AFP/Getty Images)

The president earlier in his career was "very pro-choice," but shifted on the issue by the time of the 2016 election. His convictions on the issue were questioned during the GOP primary.

But abortion rights group left no doubt that they were dismayed by the president Monday.

"It's telling that one of Trump's first executive actions combines two of his favorite things: silencing anyone who disagrees with him and repressing women," NARAL Pro-Choice America said in a statement, pointing out that the president's move comes only two days after the Women's March in Washington, D.C. and other areas.